Balancing act: How EAPs support caregivers in the workplace

More workers than ever are under increasing pressure as they attempt to balance their dual roles at home and in the workplace. In fact, one in eight employees report that they will likely need to financially support their parents, while another one in 10 believe they may need to financially support their adult children, according to the TELUS Mental Health Index.

In turn, employees who are also caregivers at home have lower mental health scores and reduced productivity, TELUS Health research finds.

TELUS Health is a relatively new name to some American employers, but it banks on more than 50 years of U.S.-based experience in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) space, as well as a strong long-term position in Health and Welfare Administration. Through its acquisition of LifeWorks in September 2022, TELUS Health has become a global healthcare leader serving people in more than 160 countries, including the United States.

“Our survey found that about 14% of U.S. workers are caregivers, either for elderly individuals or children with disabilities,” says Dr. Matthew Chow, psychiatrist and Chief Mental Health Officer at TELUS Health. “And this number was trending upward in just the five years between 2015 and 2020.”

Over the past five years, TELUS Health has observed an increase in employees juggling dual roles as caregivers and full-time workers, emphasizing the need for enhanced employer support and resources. As stressed employees turn to their benefits programs for help, EAPs can play a vital role in bridging support gaps.

Managing diverse caregiving needs

Employees are struggling under the weight of their caregiving roles. When asked about impacts, over half of the participants (51%) reported feeling exhaustion, 30% reported financial hardship, and 27% reported mental health issues.

The mental health score of the 27% reporting mental health issues is the lowest (47.7), nearly 30 points lower than for caregivers reporting no negative impact (77.2) and more than 23 points lower than the national average (71.1).

The trajectory of the caregiving experience is different based on who is receiving care, Dr. Chow says.

“Elders often have an intensive period of caregiving needs in their last year or two of life,” he notes. “And this is when we see employees the most impacted by stress and burnout. Caring for children with disabilities, however, is a lifelong commitment, which has its own set of challenges.”

Survey participants also reported a few areas that helped ease the strain, including access to flexible work arrangements, more mental health support and benefits for the person under their care.

Bridging gaps in employee well-being

With an increasing aging population, demands on employees will only continue to grow, and the need for employer support will rise.

“I’m happy to say that already employers have really stepped up, especially during the pandemic, but we’re also seeing some gaps, such as in mental health support,” Dr. Chow says.

Employee assistance programs can be a valuable resource that bridges the gap between the needs of employees and the support provided by employers.

“Employers can play such an important role in the health and wellbeing of their workers, and that role is increasing over time,” Dr. Chow explains. “But it doesn’t need to be a burden if partnering with an organization that takes a comprehensive and holistic approach.”

An EAP should consider a worker’s physical, mental and financial wellbeing and make accessing services simple, Dr. Chow adds.

By recognizing the dual roles of employees as both workers and caregivers, employers can significantly improve the lives of employees experiencing stress by providing support through resources such as EAPs.

Nicki Howell is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience writing about benefits, insurance, and technology trends.

TELUS Health (formerly LifeWorks) is a global leader now serving people in more than 160 countries, delivering digital innovation and clinical services to improve total physical, mental and financial health and wellbeing across primary and preventive care. For more information, please visit: www.telushealth.com.

Check out additional resources from this series including other mental health articles.